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A Suffolk County teenager outsmarted a man who broke into his mom's Medford home Wednesday afternoon like a scene from "Home Alone."
Suffolk County police said the 12-year-old boy was at the home on Eagle Avenue when he heard glass breaking in the kitchen and someone moving around the home.
The boy jumped out of his bedroom window and hid in the backyard to call the police, officials said.
Within minutes, Suffolk County police rushed to the home and found Christian Garcia, 53, in a bedroom with a tin of coins and a pry bar, according to the police report obtained by News 12.
"We saw all the police coming in," neighbor Diego Ramirez said. "Ten cars pulled in, and they pulled a guy out of there."
The boy was unharmed.
Other parents in the community are praising the young boy for his quick thinking.
"It's heroic to think on his toes like that," neighbor Ray Fournier said. "His parents should be proud of him for doing that. Anything could've happened and he did the right thing."
Other parents said they were using this moment as a teaching opportunity for their own kids.
"Just keep the doors closed and be aware," Ramirez said. "Always, be on alert. If anything, just call right away, 911, if I'm around, call me also."
Suffolk County police said Garcia was homeless but had not confirmed as of Wednesday evening whether this was a random incident or a targeted crime.
Garcia was charged with one count of burglary and one count of possessing burglars' tools.